Vehicle spring



July 3, 1923.

W. E. STANFORD VEHCLE SPRING i922 5 sheets-sheet l Filed May 4.

/lV VEN TOI? l/l/. E. STANFORD WIT/VESSES July 3, 1923.

3,4%@387 W. E. STANFORDV VEHICLE SPRING Filed May 4, 1922 '5 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESSES /Nl/E/l/TUR l/1/. E. STANFORD A TTU/MEMS my 3, 1923. www? W. E. STANFORD VEHICLE SPRING Filed May 4. 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fgif?.

WIT/VESSES NI/E/l/TR VW. E, STANFORD A TTORNEYS VEHICLE SPRING Filed May 4, 1922 Y 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 lll .1/ P L11/g. 1 .Z

WIT/VESSEL? W/ENTO? W E. 5 TANFORD TTUR/VEYS July 3, 1923. 11,460,987

W. E. STANFORD VEHICLE SPRING Filed May 4, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 5v Fr/113g 13.

Parenieeiuly 3, 1923.

'PATENT' orric WELL E-LY s'rnnroitn, or CALEXICG, oA-Lrronnm.

vEHeLi: SPRING.

Application filed May 4,

To all whom may concern.'

Be it lrnown'tliat I, VVrLLI E.l STANFORD, a citizen of the Unitedl States, and a' resident of Calexico, in the county ot Imperial and :State of California, have invented anew and lmprovedVelI-iole Spring,;oii which'` tlie' following isf a description u v My invention relatesl to springs for aut-omobilesl and other vehicles and more partie ularly relates to av novel assemblage of: leaf springs;

The" generaliobject `ofthe invention is to i provide a spring"` assemblage and app-urtenancesto'arlorcl the vmarlifn'ium resiliency and to constitute effective? shock absorbers without the necessity of: employing shockabsorbers additional. to the springs 'Elie manner in which. the above object andvotliersi are" attained will clearly appear as'- the description proceeds.v

Reference" to" be had to the accompany'- ing; drnwingsforming ai part: of tlri'sispe'c'i'- lication, itfbeing understoodthat the drawings aref merely illustrative of practical exlamp'les of the@invention.l

Figure 1 is a partly sectional side' elevation of'a side spring for vehicles embodying invention; v

F'gure' 2 is av transverse 'verticalsectlon as indicated: by the line Figurel l l;

F 'gu-re?)V is a' detailin verticalfsection in a planelat rightangles' to` Figurev 2- as indi"- ca'te'd by theline' of' Figure-2;

Figure 4 isa' view similar to' Figure 1 but showing.' a'modiication; Y

Figure'y 5f isf a viewsimilar t'o Figure 21 but showing the assemblage of Figure Il;

Figure-7 is a side elevation of another modification of? the invention as' embodied in' ai side spring', the axle being shown in cross* section Figli-'ref 8'is`"'a1plan View oit the assemblage shown ini Figure y Figure' 9*' is` ar fragmentary side elevation showing* a*- modilie'd form of they terminal ends.` of the;curve'dsp-rings'; y

Figure 10 is a plan View of thef'modic'ation shown inf Figure* 9.2 A 1 Figure- 111 isranend: view-oit` the' sdespring assemblage inodiecl1- particulars herein after expelaimed,...A

Figure 12.V is transverse ver-.tical section 1922.- semina.l 558,456.

VVon an enlarged scale on the li-ne 12-12, 55 Figure 11, but with the chassis bar omitted; Figure 13 is a View partly in section and partly in elevation showing an embodiment of the invention in a transverse frontor rearkspr'ing;

Figure-14 is an enlarged vertical section as indicated bythe line 14:;14 in Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a plan view of features of the assemblagev employed in the embodiment shown in Figures 13 and 14;

Figure 16 is a' vertioalsection 0f some of the features shown in Figure 15 and additions adapted for use ina wagon;

Figure 177 isla plan View of the features shown in Figui-"e 16.- 70

Referring at-rst-to the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, anellip tic frame is' provided composed of a bottom bar 2O and top bar 21 enclosing the spring assemblage hereinafter referred to, the convergent ends oit-said bars being secured by vertical bolts 22,v there being spacers 23` employed on said bolts between the' bars. The lower frame bar 20 is suitably clamped to the vehicle axle A as by bolts 24' and bar 80 washers 25.

Theside bar B of thefcliassisl framey issustained on a bracket 26 projecting from which 1 is a horizontal arm 27 ent/ending,v transversely between the bars 20, 21 between* an up- 85 per series of curved leaf springs 28 and a composite spring assemblage comprising.` in termediate flat leaf springs 29 and lower curved' springs 30,-said1 springs being more particularly referred to hereinafter", A spring 31 is-coiled about the arm 27 adjacent the bracketi 26I and afblits at one end against said bracket, said spring at the outer end exerting its pressure against the washer 32 overlapping the inner sideA surf-aces of the springs 28', 29, 301 A' second spring is coiledI about the armi 27 and abutsf at its inner end againstI thel washer Slatthe outside of? the springs 28,229,530 and abuts at its outer end againsta washer'.- The outer' end 27a 100 of arm'- 27 is: reduced andl theaded to receive a1` nut 36 bearing against'the washer 345, A lock nut 3611 also IbeI employedoutside of nut 36 as indicate'din Figur'e2;`

The/arm 27'e'xten'ds' betweenblocksf?Y dis`- 105 posedv between springs=28,:29, said blocks be'.

ing secured by bolts 38. Between they arm 27 and thej blocks?l 37' rollers 39 are provided for slight end play between the said arm and said blocks. Also, between the arm 27 and the springs 28, 29 roller bearings 46 are provided.

The springs 28 are leaf springs of curvedl form and divergent at their outer ends leaving clear space between the respective leaves of the series. The terminals of the' leaf springs 28 are curved downwardly as at 28ah and are adapted to have play in longitudinal grooves 41 at the under side of the top bar 21. The intermediate leaf springs 29 are flat while the bo-ttom leaf springs 37 are Curved and `flare toward their outer ends similarly to the springs 28, the curved terminals 30 of said springs being permitted sliding movement in grooves 42 in the upper surface of the bottom bar 20. Each end of the lowermost leaf spring of the series of springs 29 is turned as at 29a about a pin 435L on a hanger bar 43 which is pivoted at its u-pper end as at 44 to the top bar 21.

"In the form of the invention shown in Figures 4 to 6 a generally elliptical frame for the springs is provided, said frame comprising a bottom bar 46 and a top bar 47 corresponding generally with the frame bars 20`and 21 and having their convergent ends secured by bolts 48.

The axle A. is secured by shackles 49 passing thro-ugh a bar washer 50, there being in addition vertical bolts 49 at the sides of the frame connecting said bar washer 50 with the cross bars 51 and the top member 47 ofthe frame.

Vithin the frame composed of bars 46, 47 an upper series of curved springs 52 is provided and a lower series of curved springs 54 together with an intermediate series of flat springs 53. Said springs correspond generally with the springs 28, 29,

30. The curved terminals of the `lower springs 54 as well as the curved terminal of the lowermost flat spring 53 bear against longitudinal series of bearing balls 55 in the channel 56 in the lower bar 46. Similarly, the curved nsurface of the curved springs 52 bear against balls 57 in the channel 58 in the top bar 47. The balls 57 are set in an insert 59" in the channel 58 and a similar insert 59a being provided for the balls 55.

JTo support the chassis side bar B a bracket 61 is provided on a lateral arm 60 corresponding generally with the arm 27. On the arms are collars 62, 622L at opposite ysides of the spring assemblage, against which being divergent at their outer free ends as with the similar springs previously described and there is an intermediate series of springs 65 in close relation, the series being slightly bowed. All the springs of all the series are clamped together by shackles 66 and intermediate vertical bolts 67. The springs are within Aa frame comprising a bowed bottom bar 68 and a reversely bowed top bar 69, said bars being connected rigidly by vertical side bars 70 integral with said bars 68, 69. The axle A is clipped to the bottom bar 68 by shackles 71 and an intermediate vertical bolt 72 is passed through a bar washer.73 beneath the aXle. ,i

It will be understood lthat tspfring ',a's-

semblages such as described are provided at each side of the vehicle and these are conneoted byl a transversel rod 74 passing through links 75 disposed at each side of the spring assemblage, said links being pivoted at one end as by pins 76, respectively, to lugs 68a, 691 on the frame bars 68, 69, said links overlapping and being slotted as at 77 for the passage of the rod 74, connection being completed by nuts 74ZL and washers 74h.

Springs 78 are coiled about the rod 74, said springs abutting at one end against the chassis bar B2. Additional springs 7 9 on thekrod 74 between the spring assemblage and chassis bar at one end against the chassis bar and at the opposite end against the links 75. The rod 74 and the springs 78 are provided with a housing 80. In Figure .8, the

housing 80, rod 74, and springs` 78, 79 are shown in section and are shown enlarged in the interest of clearness.

The terminal ends of the springs 63 and 64 may have anti-friction rollers as indicated in ylligures 9 and 10 in which a terminal of a spring designated 64EL is forked and has the ends of the fork members turned over as -at 64b about a pin 64c1 carrying the antifriction roller 64c in the fork of the spring.

In the form shown in Figures 11 and 12 a support for the chassis bar B3 is provided at both ends of the spring assemblage. In said Figures 11 and 12 a bottom bar`81 is provided approximating semi-cylindrical form and a reversely disposed curved top bar 82,

Secured tothe top bar by bolts 83a are depending members 83 at the sides of the spring assemblage, said depending members having lateral studs 84 extending beneath the bottom frame bar 81 of the spring 'assemblage. rIhe depending members 83 are integral with a side bar 83b provided at 'each side of the top bar 82 and form with the latter a channel for the ends of the upper series of springs.

The spring assemblage' includes upper `curved springs 85, a lower series of curved ysprings 86, and an intermediate series of leaf springs 87 lying in close relation, the longest leaf-of the series of springs 87zhaving eyes as is 'customary 'with :vehicle springs fiover pins 88 passiingxrespectively-through dependt-lie member 89.'` Gnnection between the vspring 87, there beingfsh-owna @pin 90b pass- Referring to 'Figures1 13 3to 17 the axle A supports a spr-ing assemblage including lower :curvedfsprings .5.92, the L'curved terminals of which bear on sai-d axle, ajsemi-eliliptic leai1 `spring A93 @andtwo f'groups tot `end springs 94, f9a@ secured fby bolts --95 of `=the axle and vcurving laterally inward 'rto bear lat different points on members of the Vfsprilng l93.- :The longest of the leaf springs 93 have connection with vdepending :links 96 pivotally secured at their upper ends as at 96a to standards 96c rigid with the axle A, the lower ends of the springs 96 having pins 96b about which the end of one of the leaves of the spring 93 is turned. The springs 92, 93 are secured by vertical bolts 97 to a block 98 having bottom fianges 99 formed with side elements 100 and atop cap 101 and transverse passages for bolts or rods 102 corresponding in function with the arms 27. At the top and bottom of the rods 102 ball bearings 103 may be provided and at the sides of said bars roller bearings 104 are advantageously employed. The rods 102 pass through the downturned legs or iianges of U-shaped saddles 105. As one means for a convenient assemblage of the parts the central portion of the rod 102 may be in the form of a sleeve 1022* secured by a pin 102". Nuts 110 and washers 110a are shown associated with the rod or bolt 102. Springs 111 coiled about-the rod 102 within the saddle 105 press against the side members 100. In employing the invention in connection With automobiles as in Figures 13 to 15, the saddles 105 carry a cross plate 106 which extends beyond thesaddles and is secured by vertical bolts 107 to the chassis bar Bt. In

practice, the plate 106 is formed centrally with a vertical hole 108 so that the assemblage including the plate 106 may be employed in a wagon, the hole 108 receiving a king pin 109, said pin passing also through an element 1 12 pertaining to the fifth Wheel j organism of a Wagon, Said element 112 havsustain zthe members said spring. f f

:from the spirit et the invention Las 'deined in the appended c'slaims ing members 89`=at .fthe'endof fthe chassis bar l Having thus described my invention, I

LA vehicle spring comprising a series 'Loaf spring` leaves divergent 'toward ltheir lends, means Lto take the thrust oi said "springs at said ends,and azsecond series ot springs comprising leaves `in close relation over substantially `their complete area, said vsecond series of springs disposed lat that 'face-ofthe {irstseriesopposite the divergent ends of said first series.

2. In n, sjiiring `:"assemblage, `a `series of Vspring leaves, upper and lower frame 'bars between which saidleaves are disposed and subject .to pressure ofvsaid spring leaves at 4fthe top and bottom, means to secure the flower frame "bar to an axle, and means Sto of a vehicle frame on 3.. A spring assemblage including top and bottom bars, upper and lower series of spring leaves divergent toward their ends bearing respectively against said stop and bottom bars, an intermediate series of spring leaves, and means to mount the bottom bar on an axle, and means to support vehicle frame parts subject to the tension of said leaves.

4. A spring assemblage including top and bottom bars, upper and lower series of spring leaves divergent toward their ends bearing respectively against said top and bottom bars, an intermediate series of spring leaves, means to mount the bottom bar on an axle, and means to support vehicle frame parts subject to the tension of said leaves; together with means'connecting said bottom bar with 9, leaf of the intermediate series.

5. A spring assemblage including top and bottom bars, upper and lower series of spring leaves divergent toward their ends bearing respectively against said top and bottom bars, an intermediate series of spring leaves, means to mount the bottom bar on an axle,.and means to support vehicle frame parts subject to the tension of said leaves; together with overlapping slot-ted links pivotally secured to the top and bottom bars respectively and transverse pins extending through the slots of said links and connected -with one of the leaves of the intermediate series.

6. A spring assemblage including top and bottom bars, upper and lower series of spring leaves divergent toward their ends bearing respectively against said top and bottom bars, van intermediate ,series of spring leaves, means to mount the bottom bar on an axle, and means to support vehicle frame parts subject to the tension of said leaves, the upper series of leaves exerting pressure at their ends against said top bar andthe intermediate and lower series of springs exerting pressure on Said bottom bar. v

7. A spring assemblage including top and `bottom bars, upper and lower series. of spring lea-ves divergent toward their ends bearing respectively against said top and bottom bars, an intermediate series of spring leaves, means, to mount the `bottom bar on an axle, `and means. to support vehicle frame parts subject to the tension ofsad leaves; together with means connecting said bottom bar with a leaf of the intermediate series, and depending elements rigid with thetop 4bar and presenting lateral pins extending beneath the bottom bar.

8. In a spring .assemblage including semielliptic top and bottom bars secured toether an uo er series ots rinfr` leaves exerting pressure at their ends against the under side of the top bar, a. lower series of spring leaves exerting pressure against the bottombar, an intermediate series of spring leaves, means to sustain vehicle trame parts i on said spring leaves, means to connect the lower bar With an axle, and depending members on the top bar to which a leaf of the intermediate series is connected.A

9. In a vehicle spring, a series of downwardly curving` spring leaves divergent to- Ward their ends, a second series of downourved lea-ves above the first series, the

leaves of the seco-nd se-riesvbeing in close WILL ELY STANFORD. 

